Donativum

Additional donations (plural: Donativa ) was the name that was given the gifts of money in the Roman Empire, the Roman emperors distributed under the soldiers of the legions or the Praetorian Guard. The purpose of the additional donations varied, some were an expression of gratitude for the favors they have placed, others simply bribery for benevolence that was expected. Donativa were initially usually issued at the inauguration of a new emperor, on the 2nd and 3rd centuries but this form of corruption was a central point for each successful regent, for example, many soldiers Emperors 235-284 - especially to the Praetorian Guard, which the Emperor was much closer and therefore posed a greater threat to security. Stationed in Rome cohorts were difficult to keep quiet and fast by the hand, when it came time to commit a murder. The additional donations thus supported a terrible way to gain the support and loyalty of the Praetorian Guard.

Emperor Augustus left the Praetorians still a considerable sum in his will, but under Tiberius ' reign monetary gifts were virtually compulsory. The Praetorians were given the money to allow Sejanus, her prefect, was overthrown: Each Guardsman received 10 gold pieces that he refrained from defending him. In the year 41, after the murder of Caligula, Claudius supported the Guard, and after a short time, the Senate realized that it was the Guard who had placed him on the throne. Claudius gave them 150 Aurei, about 3,750 denarii - which the senators did add 100 sesterces a year to remember Claudius ' enthronement.

Even after the dissolution of the Praetorian Guard in 312 remained imperial, often referred to as largition in Late Antiquity donative to the troops ( at least on the occasion of commencement rule ) are common to at least the 6th century.